May 2016

"\ I --, cdfa Anthrax ~ CALIFORN I A DEPARTMENT O F FOOD & AGRI CULT U RE Anthrax is a potentially fatal disease of all warm-blooded Clinical Signs in Ruminants animals, including humans, caused by Bacillus anthracis, a Ruminants are most susceptible to anthrax. The disease spore-forming bacterium. Cattle, sheep, and goats are has a rapid onset after exposure and sudden death may considered highly susceptible to anthrax, while birds are occur without observation of other clinical signs. In some highly resistant. Anthrax is particularly common in parts animals, staggering, trembling, difficulty breathing, of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Anthrax outbreaks in collapse, and terminal convulsions may be seen. Infected the United States (U.S.) occur most often in the West and animals bloat rapidly at the time of death and a dark Midwest. Several states including North and South bloody discharge may appear from the mouth, nose, Dakota, Texas, Minnesota, Montana, and California have anus, and/or vulva. A notable sign of anthrax is the lack of had anthrax outbreaks. The diagnosis of anthrax must be rigor mortis (stiffening of the body) after death. reported to animal health officials.

Anthrax Agent The anthrax bacterium is found in two forms: vegetative and spore. The vegetative form grows and reproduces in the animal, releasing toxins that cause the disease. Exposure of the vegetative form of the organism to oxygen results in the formation of spores. The spore form contaminates the environment and may remain viable in the soil for decades, which makes eradication difficult. If a bloated cattle carcass has not undergone rigor mortis Spores can survive for two years in water. Spores are and has dark, bloody discharge from the body openings, highly resistant to the suspect anthrax. Take precautions and call your veterinarian following: or animal health official.  Heat,  Cold, Clinical Signs in Equines  Chemical Equines typically develop acute disease after ingestion of disinfection, and anthrax spores. Common signs of the disease in equines  Long dry periods. include:  Fever, Rapid decomposition of  Chills, an unopened carcass destroys the vegetative form of the  Anorexia, bacterium within a few days of death.  Depression,  Colic, and/or Transmission  Bloody diarrhea. Transmission in animals typically occurs by ingestion of soil-borne spores and possibly by inhalation of spores. Swelling of the neck, sternum, lower abdomen, and Animal exposure to spores may occur directly from the external genitalia may also occur. Affected horses usually soil through gazing or from ingestion of feed grown on die within 1-3 days and some affected horses may survive anthrax-infected soil. An increased incidence of anthrax up to a week. exposure occurs:  After flooding of the grazing area,  After a drought, and  After disruption or tilling of the soil.

Once ingested, spores revert to the vegetative form and www.cdfa.ca.gov produce toxins in the animal. Occasionally, inhalation of spores can cause disease in animal. Some susceptible species may develop a localized infection caused by exposure through breaks in the skin.

Clinical Signs in Swine Control Pigs infected with anthrax may have mild to chronic To control an outbreak, it is essential to quarantine the infections characterized by localized swelling in the neck. premises, dispose of carcasses appropriately, and Some pigs may develop progressive swelling of the throat decontaminate using effective products and application resulting in difficulty breathing and swallowing. Systemic methods. Additional considerations include: signs include:  Isolate infected animals,  Fever,  Remove exposed animals from contaminated  Loss of appetite, and/or premises if possible,  Enlarged lymph nodes.  Avoid opening suspect carcass(es) to prevent spore formation,  Use of an anthrax vaccine on exposed animal may be recommended,  Restrict access of grazing animals in known- contaminated areas, and  Properly dispose of carcass(es) and contaminated materials.

Prevention Annual vaccination of livestock anthrax endemic areas with modified live anthrax vaccine may aid in the prevention of the disease. Diagnosis Suspect anthrax in animals that die suddenly in areas prone to the disease. A veterinarian should rule out anthrax as the cause of death before the carcass is handled by others. A diagnosis of anthrax is made by identification of the anthrax bacteria in samples from the dead animal.

The optimal anthrax sample from animal carcasses is to sterilely aspirate aqueous humor from the eye and place in a sealed red top tube. If this is not feasible the whole I--- eye can be submitted as an alternative. I Treatment Call your veterinarian for assistance with an anthrax suspect. Bacillus anthracis and its toxins rapidly affect Zoonotic Potential animals, and antibiotics and supportive treatment must Anthrax may cause serious disease in humans after begin immediately. exposure to anthrax-infected animals and their tissues. For more information on anthrax in humans, contact your local County Public Health Department or visit: California Department of Public Health

Animal Health and Food Safety Services Animal Health Branch Headquarters - (916) 900-5002 Redding District - (530) 225-2140 Modesto District - (209) 491-9350 Tulare District - (559) 685-3500 Ontario District - (909) 947-4462 USDA-APHIS-VS - (916) 854-3950 or (877) 741-3690

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